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Bed bugs, toddlers and a newborn.

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I am freaking out because I have no money until February except what I need for rent, not an apartment so talking to the landlord won't help, and diapers. We have a bed bug infestation and my almost 2 year olds have bites all over them. They have a pediatrician appointment coming up soon and I am terrified they will be taken because of the bed bug problems. I keep my house clean and everything. I am due any day now with a new baby and I am terriffied of the thought of bringing the baby home to the infestation. Apparently its an epidemic in the state I am in but I am still terriffied of losing my kids because of these bugs. I love my kids and don't know what I would do without them. Is there anything I can do to prevent more bites on my boys? What can I do? Will the pediatrician have my kids taken away because of the bugs? I am in desperate need of advice and help because I now haven't slept in 2 weeks because of this.

Mom Answers

I'm not sure what state you live in but most states its the landlords responsiblity to get rid of bed bugs. It doesn't matter how or why you have them they need to have it taken care of. It shouldn't cost you a dime.

i moved from a apartment that was infested with bed bug to a house i steamed cleaned everything before it went in the house, it took care of the problem,however my so called friends came by and next thing i knew my house was infested i called them they told me they had them, i have a 2 year old and a newborn both being chewed up i been using DIATOMACEOUS EARTH to put around floor broads beds legs anywhere i cant see or vacuum easily as long as it stays dry it works sad thing is every time i get rid of them someone will visited that has them and get m place invested again.

Im in the same boat, I have a 6 year old and im 24 weeks preg. I moved into my apt nove 2010 and got bugs feb 2010. The landlord told me it was my problem. so i spent about $500 on an exterminator and i bought new couched. I moved to the apartment below that one around aug 2011 and we started getting bit again in dec 2011. because i am preg i cannot work or find work. Im struggling with paying rent and bills. I cannot afford to pay again for an exterminator. I was thinking of babysitting other children to make money but cannot because of the bugs. I threw out my daughters bed and she was sleeping on the couch. the couches are now infected so she sleeps on some pillows on the floor. I called dcfs to assist me financially with the problem. they said they cannot. they also said that THEY DO NOT TAKE CHILDREN AWAY FROM THEIR HOME/PARENTS BECAUSE OF BUGS. I called 311 (the city of chicago in which i live in) and they said its the landlords problem. go to bedbugsupply.com buy a steamer.

buy a spray bottle from the dollor store and buy a big bottle of the 90% alchohol and if you got plastic bedding wrap your furniture and kids bedding with it but remember every morning and nite you must spray furniture from inside and i mean soak it! then cover it up and remeber open all windows don't want anybody passing out lol and if you dont have any plastic for the furniture duct tape helps too!! these are some inexpensive things you can use and remeber to wash linens everyday! And when you get a couple of extra bucks buy a can called Black Jack its a bed bug "bug spray" very strong cost round $12.00 for the big cans but trust me they work! use all these products for a couple months and you will be rid of them! But remember air out your home and let everything dry b4 kids come home and i repeat wash linens everyday with arm and hammer detergent ! hope this helps! And don't worry just explain to your docs the situation im sure they know so don't worry bout the kids gettin taken.

i highly doubt ur kids will be taken away b/c of bed bug bites. I'm sure several parents have brought kids in w/ those kinds of bites (especially if there's an epidemic). As for your bed bug problem: 1) THOROUGLY vacuum the matresses, then tightly cover the mattresses 2) i don't know how much they cost, but try to find "bed bug traps" in your nearby stores 3) to help prevent more, change bed sheets 2x/week 4) wash them in HOT water 5) clean furniture frequently (including closets, carpets, door jams, picture frames, etc.) 6) avoid purchasing "second-hand" furniture 7) and lastly, when you're able to, hire an exterminator. I realize that w/ kids (and another baby on the way soon) it WILL be difficult to do all this. I'm just giving a few pointers that will hopefully help and not cost as much. Good luck to ya.

I also had a bed bug infestation and I bought this powder at home depo called insect dust it has a big label on it that says diamoticious earth(DE) and it kills them it dries em out in a few days it definitely kills them just put on baseboards, box springs, cracks, and crevices it'll kill all of them once they walk over it and its very cheap got it for 10 bucks hope this helps.. :)

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